Golf putter head with visual alignment aid and methods of manufacture

ABSTRACT

Embodiments for a golf club head comprising a body having a face, a back opposite the face, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a crown, and a sole opposite the crown, a centerline perpendicular to the face and passing through a geometric center of the face, and an alignment aid disposed on a crown surface of the crown, the alignment aid comprising an alignment aid width, wherein the alignment aid width is approximately equal to a diameter of a golf ball, and a sight line disposed on the crown surface, the sight line being aligned with the centerline; wherein the alignment aid width is centered about the centerline.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/226,850filed Aug. 2, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/200,561, filed on Aug. 3, 2015, and U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/270,127, filed on Dec. 21, 2015, the contentsof all disclosures above are incorporated fully herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to golf clubs. In particular, the presentdisclosure relates to putter-type golf club heads having alignment aids.

BACKGROUND

Ensuring that the strike face of a putter contacts a golf ball squarelyand on center increases the likelihood that a golf ball will rollconsistently and accurately. The size of the strike face and the size ofgolf balls can make it difficult to align the strike face and the clubhead of a putter with the golf balls. There is a need in the art forputters to provide visual alignment for striking the golf ball squarely.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of an embodiment of a putterhead with an alignment aid.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the putter head in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top perspective view of another embodiment of aputter head with an alignment aid.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the putter head in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top perspective view of another embodiment of aputter head with an alignment aid.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the putter head in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of a putter head with an alignmentaid.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the putter head in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of manufacturing a putter head with analignment aid.

FIG. 10 illustrates a rear perspective view of another embodiment of aputter head with an alignment aid.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elementsin the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a putter type golf club head with an alignment aidpositioned on the crown of the club head. The alignment aid indicatesthe location of the geometric center of the strike face and/or theputter head. The alignment aid also indicates the position of the edgesof a golf ball for impact on the center of the strike face. Thealignment aid may also allow the user to align the strike face and/orputter head with a golf ball to more consistently achieve center putts.Methods of manufacture and use are also described below.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the apparatus, methods, and/or articles of manufacturedescribed herein are, for example, capable of operation in otherorientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements, mechanically or otherwise. Coupling (whether mechanical orotherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanent orsemi-permanent or only for an instant.

The absence of the word “removably,” “removable,” and the like near theword “coupled,” and the like does not mean that the coupling, etc. inquestion is or is not removable.

As defined herein, two or more elements are “integral” if they arecomprised of the same piece of material.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the followingdrawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways.

I. Alignment Aid

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a putter head 100 according to one embodiment. Theputter head 100 may be a mallet-type putter head, a half-pipe putterhead, a blade-type putter head, or another type of putter head; theputter head is not limited in this regard. The putter head describedherein may be part of a putter-type golf club. The putter-type golf clubmay include the putter head, a golf club shaft, and a grip. In someembodiments, the putter head may include a hosel configured to receivethe shaft. In some embodiments, the putter head may include a cavityconfigured to receive the shaft. The shaft may be coupled to the putterhead by use of an adhesive such as epoxy, by use of one or morefasteners such as screws, or by other bonding processes such assoldering, welding, and/or brazing.

The putter head 100 includes a body 104, a crown 108, a sole 112opposite the crown 108, a face 116, a back 120 opposite the face 116, aheel 124, and a toe 128 opposite the heel 124. The face 116 includes ageometric center 156. The putter head 100 may include a top rail 160comprising a front portion of crown 108 adjacent to face 116 thatextends between the heel 124 and toe 128 of putter head 100. The putterhead 100 further includes a centerline 170 and an alignment aid 130. Thecenterline 170 defines an axis that extends through the geometric center156, perpendicular to the face 116. The alignment aid 130 includes asight line 152 and an alignment aid width 144. The alignment aid width144 is centered about the centerline 170. The alignment aid 130 furtherincludes at least one cavity and/or at least one protruded surface onthe crown 108 of the putter head 100. The at least one cavity and/orprotruded surface may be aligned perpendicular to the face and have aconstant width extending from the face 116 toward the back 120 of theputter head 100.

The width of the cavity or protruded surface corresponds to thealignment aid width 144 and may be approximately equal to the diameterof a golf ball. Currently, the United States Golf Association (USGA)requires conforming golf balls to have a diameter of not less than 1.680inches (42.67 mm). In the illustrated embodiment, the alignment aidwidth 144 is constant and approximately equal to the diameter of a golfball, or 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). In other embodiments, the alignmentaid width 144 may be a constant value greater than 1.176 inches (29.87mm) and less than 2.184 inches (55.47 mm). Specifically, the alignmentaid width 144 may be greater than or equal to approximately 1.2 inches,1.3 inches, 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches,1.9 inches, 2.0 inches, or 2.1 inches, or any value greater than 1.176inches.

The alignment aid 130 allows a user to properly align the putter head100 with a golf ball during a swing. Specifically, the sight line 152can indicate to the user the location of the geometric center 156 of theface 116 of the putter head 100 and enable the user to more easily alignthe geometric center 156 of the face 116 with the center of the golfball. Similarly, the alignment aid width 144 allows the user to alignthe edges of a golf ball such that the golf ball is aligned with thegeometric center 156 of the face 116. When a user properly aligns theputter head 100 with the golf ball during a putting stroke, the golfball rolls more consistently and accurately. Additionally, the alignmentaid 130 described herein also allows the user to align the putter head100 with the outer dimensions of the golf ball as he performs theputting stroke, which increases the likelihood for an on-center hit.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate the putter head 100 at an address position relativeto a ground plane 164, where the face 116 is positioned at an angle 180with the ground plane 164. The face 116 may be generally planar. Theface 116 may be substantially orthogonal to the ground plane 164 whenthe putter head 100 is at address position. In other embodiments, angle180 may be greater than or equal to approximately 80 degrees, 85degrees, 86 degrees, 87 degrees, 88 degrees, 89 degrees, 90 degrees, 91degrees, 92 degrees, 93 degrees, 94 degrees, 95 degrees, or any anglegreater than 80 degrees and less than 100 degrees. The face 116 definesa face plane 168 tangent to the geometric center 156 of the face 116.The face 116 may include a ball striking face 172 that may be the samesize or smaller than the face 116, and that may be used to strike a golfball (not shown).

The ball striking face 172 may be a continuous or integral part of theface 116 or formed as an insert that is attached to or within the face116. The body 104 may be comprised of a first material. The face 116 orinsert may be comprised from the first material or may be comprised froma different second material. The insert may be permanently affixed to orwithin the face 116, or may be removable. The insert may be a metallicor non-metallic material. The non-metallic material may be a polymer,copolymer, polymer composite or any other suitable material. The ballstriking face may include one or more grooves such as the groovesdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,790,193, which is incorporated herein byreference.

In some embodiments, putter head 100 may include one or more weightsdisposed in the sole 112 in various locations and orientations. Forexample, putter head 100 may be provided with a plurality of removableweights, which may be disposed within at least one cavity in sole 112.In some embodiments, a single weight may comprise a sole plate 176disposed within a cavity near a center portion of sole 112 of putterhead 100. The sole plate 176 may be used by an individual to increasethe total mass of the putter head 100. The sole plate 176 may be securedwithin the cavity by using an adhesive such as epoxy. Alternatively, thesole plate 176 may be secured by one or more screws or other fasteners.The sole plate 176 may also be secured within the cavity in the sole 112by a thermal expansion process.

The body 104, ball striking face 172, and/or sole plate 176 of putterhead 100 may be made from any material. For example, the body 104, ballstriking face 172, and/or sole plate 176 of putter head 100 may be madefrom titanium, titanium alloy, other titanium-based materials, steel,stainless steel, aluminum, aluminum alloy, other metals, metal alloys,plastic, wood, composite materials, or other suitable types ofmaterials. The body 104, ball striking face 172, and/or sole plate 176of putter head 100 may be made from different materials, or they all maybe made from the same material. In the illustrated embodiment, body 104is made from a first material, and the sole plate 176 is made from asecond material different from the first material.

A. Mallet-Type Putter with Protrusion

The putter head may be a mallet-type putter head as shown in FIG. 3-4.Putter head 200 can be similar to putter head 100 (FIG. 1-2). Referringto FIG. 3-4, putter head 200 comprises an alignment aid 230 including aprotruded surface located along the crown 208. The alignment aid 230 maybe centered about a centerline 270 which extends perpendicular to theface plane 268 from the face 216 to the back 220 of putter head 200 andpasses through the geometric center 256 of the face 216. The alignmentaid 230 is positioned at least partially in the first ⅓ of the putterhead 200. The alignment aid 230 may be positioned at least partially inthe first ⅛, or 1/7, or ⅙, or ⅕, or ¼, or ⅓ of the putter head 200. Thealignment aid 230 may be directly adjacent to the face 216 or may bepositioned at an offset distance from the face 216. Further, thealignment aid 230 may extend entirely to the back 220 of the putter head200 or may extend a portion of the way to the back 220 of the putterhead 200.

A portion of alignment aid 230 is disposed above a height of top rail260, and may form a first and second step 232, 234 with a top railsurface 236 of top rail 260. The first step 232 may be formed between aheel edge 238 of alignment aid 230 and the top rail surface 236 of toprail 260. The second step may be formed between a toe edge 240 ofalignment aid 230 and the top rail surface 236 of top rail 260.Additionally, the alignment aid 230 may include a height which remainsconstant, increases or decreases across its length. In the illustratedembodiment, a first portion 246 of top surface 242 may extend betweenface 216 and a rear edge 248 of top rail 260 along a path that is linearand orthogonal to face plane 268. A second portion 250 of top surface242 may extend from the rear edge 248 of top rail 260 to the back 220 ofputter head 200 along a curved path sloping downward towards the groundplane 264. However, in any embodiment, the first portion 246 of topsurface 242 is positioned higher than the top rail 260.

In the illustrated embodiment, a top surface 242 of alignment aid 230has a width 244 which is measured between the heel edge 238 and toe edge240 of alignment aid 230. The width 244 may be constant, may varylinearly, or may vary non-linearly as top surface 242 extends along thecrown 208 between the face 216 and the back 220 of putter head 200. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the width 244 of top surface 242 is constantand approximately equal to the diameter of a golf ball, or 1.680 inches(42.67 mm). In other embodiments, the width 244 of top surface 242 maybe a constant value greater than 1.176 inches (29.87 mm) and less than2.184 inches (55.47 mm). Specifically, the width 244 of top surface 242may be greater than or equal to approximately 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches,1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches,2.0 inches, or 2.1 inches, or any value greater than 1.176 inches.

Referring to FIG. 3-4, top surface 242 of alignment aid 230 extendsperpendicular to the face plane 268 along the crown 208 from the face216 towards the back 220 of putter head 200. A centerline 270 is alsoperpendicular to face 216 and extends through a geometric center 256 offace 216. A top surface 242 of the alignment aid 230 may be centeredwith the centerline 270. Top surface 242 may extend linearly from face216 to back 220 of the putter head 200, or it may extend along acurvilinear path. Further, the top surface 242 of alignment aid 230 mayextend between face 216 and back 220 along a path comprising anycombination of linear and non-linear segments.

In the illustrated embodiment, referring to FIG. 3-4, a sight line 252is disposed on the top surface 242 of alignment aid 230. Sight line 252may be aligned with centerline 270 when viewed from a top view. Further,the sight line 252 may extend across the entire length of the putterhead 200 or any portion of the length of the putter head 200. Forexample, the sight line may extend from face 216 to back 220 of putterhead 200 or may extend from the rear edge 248 of top rail 260 to back220 of putter head 200. Additionally, sight line 252 may comprise asight line stripe, where the sight line stripe comprises a first colorand the top surface 242 comprises a second color different from thefirst color. In other embodiments, sight line 252 may comprise a groovein top surface 242. The depth, width, and/or vertical cross-sectionalshape of the groove may be constant along the length, or may varylinearly or non-linearly. The groove may include the sight line stripedisposed inside the groove, and the first color may be the same ordifferent from the second color. Sight line 252 may be machined into topsurface 242, may be formed by casting, forging, or any othermanufacturing process.

In the illustrated embodiment, putter head 200 may further comprise afirst cavity 282 and a second cavity 284 disposed in the surface ofcrown 208. The first cavity 282 may be disposed in a portion of crown208 located near or closest to the heel 224, with the first cavity 282having a first recessed bottom surface 286. The intersection of firstcavity 282 and top rail surface 236 may define the rear edge 248 of toprail 260. The intersection of first cavity 282 and alignment aid 230 maydefine the heel edge 238 of alignment aid 230. Similarly, the secondcavity 284 may be disposed in a portion of crown 208 located near orclosest to the toe 228, with the second cavity 284 having a secondrecessed bottom surface 288. The intersection of second cavity 284 andtop rail surface 236 may further define the rear edge 248 of top rail260. The intersection of second cavity 284 and alignment aid 230 maydefine the toe edge 240 of alignment aid 230. The first and secondrecessed bottom surfaces 286, 288 of the first and second cavities 282,284 may each be generally planar, or they may be generally coplanar witheach other. In a preferred embodiment, first recessed bottom surface 286and second recessed bottom surface 288 are coplanar and together definea recessed bottom plane. The recessed bottom plane may be parallel tothe ground plane 264 when the putter head 200 is at address position.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first top rail edge 210 may be defined by theintersection of face 216 and top rail surface 236. A top rail width 218may be defined as the distance between the first top rail edge 210 andthe rear edge 248 of top rail 260. The top rail may include a width 218and a height which may remain constant, increase or decrease along thelength of top rail 260 as top rail 260 extends between heel 224 and toe228 of putter head 200. The top rail width 218 may be a distance greaterthan or equal to approximately 0.50 inch. Alternatively, the top railwidth 218 may be greater than or equal to approximately 0.35 inch, andmay be less than or equal to approximately 0.65 inch. For example, thetop rail width 418 may be greater than or equal to approximately 0.35inch, 0.40 inch, 0.42 inch, 0.44 inch, 0.46 inch, 0.48 inch, 0.50 inch,0.52 inch, 0.54 inch, 0.56 inch, 0.58 inch, or 0.60 inch, or any othervalue greater than 0.35 inch.

In the illustrated embodiment, referring to FIG. 4, a sole plate 276 maybe disposed in the sole 212 of putter head 200. The sole 212 of putterhead 200 may include a mating section 290 comprised of a sole cavity 292configured to receive the sole plate 276. The sole plate 276 may have ashape that matches the shape of the sole cavity 292 such that the soleplate 276 fits within the sole 212 of putter head 200, and an outersurface of the sole plate 276 is flush with the surface of sole 212 whenassembled. Sole plate 276 may be secured within the mating section 290by using an adhesive such as epoxy. Alternatively, sole plate 276 may besecured within mating section 290 by one or more screws or otherfasteners. Sole plate 276 may also be secured within mating section 290by a sintering or thermal expansion process.

B. Mallet-Type Putter with Cavity

The putter head may be a mallet-type putter head as shown in FIG. 5-6.Putter head 400 can be similar to putter head 100 (FIG. 1-2). Referringto FIGS. 5-6, putter head 400 comprises an alignment aid 430 including acavity 402 disposed at the center of the crown 408. The alignment aid430 may be centered about a centerline 470 which extends perpendicularto the face plane 468 from the face 416 to the back 420 of putter head400 and passes through the geometric center 456 of the face 416. Thealignment aid 430 is positioned at least partially in the first ⅓ of theputter head 400. The alignment aid 430 may be positioned at leastpartially in the first ⅛, or 1/7, or ⅙, or ⅕, or ¼, or ⅓ of the putterhead 400. The alignment aid 430 may be directly adjacent to the face 416or may be positioned at an offset distance from the face 416. Further,the alignment aid 430 may extend from the face 416 entirely to the back420 of the putter head 400 or may extend a portion of the way to theback 420 of the putter head 400. The cavity 402 may have a recessedbottom surface 406 that is generally planar. Recessed bottom surface 406may define a recessed bottom surface plane that may be generallyparallel to the ground plane 464 when putter head 400 is at addressposition. The top rail 460 may comprise a front portion of crown 408adjacent to face 416 that extends between the heel 424 and toe 428 ofputter head 400. The cavity 402 may intersect with top rail 460 and maydefine rear wall 494 of top rail 460. Rear wall 494 may be generallyplanar, and may be generally parallel to face 416 of putter head 400.

Top rail 460 may have a top rail surface 436. A first top rail edge 410may be defined by the intersection of face 416 and top rail surface 436,and a second top rail edge 414 may be defined by the intersection ofrear wall 494 and top rail surface 436. A top rail width 418 may bedefined as the distance between the first and second top rail edges 410,414. The top rail width 418 may be constant along the length of top rail460 as top rail 460 extends between heel 424 and toe 428 of putter head400. The top rail width 418 may be a distance greater than or equal toapproximately 0.50 inch. Alternatively, the top rail width 418 may begreater than or equal to approximately 0.35 inch, and may be less thanor equal to approximately 0.65 inch. For example, the top rail width 418may be greater than or equal to approximately 0.35 inch, 0.40 inch, 0.42inch, 0.44 inch, 0.46 inch, 0.48 inch, 0.50 inch, 0.52 inch, 0.54 inch,0.56 inch, 0.58 inch, or 0.60 inch, or any other value greater than 0.35inch.

In the illustrated embodiment, putter head 400 may further comprise afirst protrusion 422 and a second protrusion 426 disposed on the crown408. First protrusion 422 may be disposed on a portion of crown 408located near or closest to the heel 424, with the first protrusion 422having a first protrusion top surface 454. Second protrusion 426 may bedisposed on a portion of crown 408 located near or closest to the toe428, with the second protrusion 426 having a second protrusion topsurface 458. The first and second protrusion top surfaces 454, 458 maybe positioned lower than the top rail surface 436. Likewise, the firstand second protrusion top surfaces 454, 458 may be positioned higherthan the recessed bottom surface 406. Further, the first and secondprotrusion top surfaces 454, 458 may include a height which remainsconstant, increases or decreases across their length.

The intersection of first protrusion 422 and alignment aid 430 maydefine a first wall 462 of alignment aid 430. Similarly, theintersection of second protrusion 426 and alignment aid 430 may define asecond wall 466 of alignment aid 430. The first and second walls 462,466 may be generally planar and extend from rear wall 494 of top rail460 to back 420 of putter head 400. First and second walls 462, 466 maybe generally perpendicular to rear wall 494, and may be generallyparallel to each other. First and second walls 462, 466 may be centeredabout a centerline 470 which extends perpendicular to face 416 andpasses through the geometric center 456 of face 416.

In the illustrated embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, alignment aid 430has a width 444 which is measured between first wall 462 of alignmentaid 430 and second wall 466 of alignment aid 430. The width 444 ofalignment aid 430 is constant and approximately equal to the diameter ofa golf ball, or 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). In other embodiments, the width444 of alignment aid 430 may be a constant value greater than 1.176inches (29.87 mm) and less than 2.184 inches (55.47 mm). Specifically,the width 444 of alignment aid 430 may be greater than or equal toapproximately 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, 2.0 inches, or 2.1 inches,or any value greater than 1.176 inches.

The sight line 452 is disposed on the recessed bottom surface 406 ofalignment aid 430. Sight line 452 may be aligned with centerline 470when viewed from a top view. Further, the sight line 452 may extendalong recessed bottom surface 406 from rear wall 494 of top rail 460 toback 420 of putter head 400 to define a corresponding length. Sight line452 may comprise a sight line stripe, where the sight line stripecomprises a first color and the recessed bottom surface 406 comprises asecond color different from the first color. In other embodiments, sightline 452 may comprise a groove in recessed bottom surface 406. Thedepth, width, and/or vertical cross-sectional shape of the groove may beconstant along the length, or may vary linearly or non-linearly. Thegroove may include the sight line stripe disposed inside the groove, andthe first color may be the same or different from the second color.Sight line 452 may be machined into recessed bottom surface 406, may beformed by casting, forging, or any other manufacturing process.

A first groove 474 may be disposed in top rail surface 436. First groove474 may be coplanar with first wall 462. Similarly, a second groove 478may be disposed in top rail surface 436, where second groove 478 may becoplanar with second wall 466. Accordingly, a distance between firstgroove 474 and second groove 478 will be approximately equal to thewidth 444 of alignment aid 430. When the width 444 of alignment aid 430is approximately equal to the diameter of a golf ball, or 1.680 inches(42.67 mm), the distance between first groove 474 and second groove 478is also approximately equal to the diameter of a golf ball, or 1.680inches (42.67 mm). Thus the first and second grooves 474, 478 may allowa user to more properly align the putter head 400 with the ball during aswing. The depth, width, and/or vertical cross-sectional shape of thefirst and second grooves may be constant along the length, or may varylinearly or non-linearly. The first groove 474 may include a firststripe disposed inside the first groove, and the second groove 478 mayinclude a second stripe disposed inside the second groove. The first andsecond stripes may comprise the first color of the sight line stripe.First and second grooves 474, 478 may be machined into top rail surface436, may be formed by a casting or forging process, or may be formed byany other manufacturing process.

In the illustrated embodiment, a sole plate 476 may be disposed in thesole 412 of putter head 400. The sole 412 of putter head 400 may includea mating section 490 comprised of a sole cavity 492 configured toreceive the sole plate 476. The sole plate 476 may have a shape thatmatches the shape of the sole cavity 492 such that the sole plate 476fits snugly within the sole 412 of putter head 400, and an outer surfaceof the sole plate 476 is flush with the surface of sole 412 whenassembled. Sole plate 476 may be secured within the mating section 490by using an adhesive such as epoxy. Alternatively, sole plate 476 may besecured within mating section 490 by one or more screws or otherfasteners. Sole plate 476 may also be secured within mating section 490by a sintering or thermal expansion process.

C. Blade-Type Putter

The putter head may be a blade-type putter head as shown in FIGS. 7-8.Putter head 600 can be similar to putter head 100 (FIG. 1-2). Referringto FIG. 7-8, putter head 600 comprises an alignment aid 630 including acavity 602 disposed at the center of the crown 608. The alignment aid630 may be centered about a centerline 670 which extends perpendicularto the face plane 668 from the face 616 to the back 620 of putter head600 and passes through the geometric center 656 of the face 616. Thealignment aid 630 is positioned at least partially in the first ⅓ of theputter head 600. The alignment aid 630 may be positioned at leastpartially in the first ⅛, or 1/7, or ⅙, or ⅕, or ¼, or ⅓ of the putterhead 600. The alignment aid 630 may be directly adjacent to the face 616or may be positioned at an offset distance from the face 616. Further,the alignment aid 630 may extend from the face 616 entirely to the back620 of the putter head 600 or may extend a portion of the way to theback 620 of the putter head 600. The cavity 602 may have a recessedbottom surface 606. Recessed bottom surface 606 may define a recessedbottom surface plane that may be generally parallel to the ground plane664 when putter head 600 is at address position. In other embodiments,recessed bottom surface 606 may be curved and may generally match thecurvature of sole 612, such that the surface of sole 612 and recessedbottom surface 606 are generally parallel. The top rail 660 may comprisea front portion of crown 608 adjacent to face 616 that extends betweenthe heel 624 and toe 628 of putter head 600. Cavity 602 and top rail 660together may define a recessed rear surface 696 of top rail 660.Recessed rear surface 696 may be generally planar, and may be generallyparallel to the face 616 of putter head 600. Top rail 660 may have a toprail surface 636 which is generally planar, and top rail surface 636 maybe generally parallel to ground plane 664 when putter head 600 is ataddress position. Recessed rear surface 696 may be circumscribed by arim portion 698. A first top rail edge 610 may be defined by theintersection of face 616 and top rail surface 636, while a second toprail edge 614 may be defined by the intersection of rim portion 698 andtop rail surface 636.

A top rail width 618 may be defined as the distance between the firstand second top rail edges 610, 614. The top rail width 618 may beconstant along the length of top rail 660 as top rail 660 extendsbetween heel 624 and toe 628 of putter head 600. The top rail width 618may be a distance greater than or equal to approximately 0.25 inch.Alternatively, the top rail width 618 may be greater than or equal toapproximately 0.18 inch, and may be less than or equal to approximately0.32 inch. For example, the top rail width 618 may be greater than orequal to approximately 0.18 inch, 0.20 inch, 0.21 inch, 0.22 inch, 0.23inch, 0.24 inch, 0.25 inch, 0.26 inch, 0.27 inch, 0.28 inch, 0.29 inch,or 0.30 inch, or any other value greater than 0.18 inch.

In the illustrated embodiment, putter head 600 may further comprise twoprotrusions disposed on the crown 608. A first protrusion 622 may bedisposed on a portion of crown 608 located near or closest to the heel624, with the first protrusion 622 having a first protrusion top surface654. A second protrusion 626 may be disposed on a portion of crown 608located near or closest to the toe 628, with the second protrusion 626having a second protrusion top surface 658. The first and secondprotrusion top surfaces 654, 658 may be positioned lower than the toprail surface 636. Likewise, the first and second protrusion top surfaces654, 658 may be positioned higher than the recessed bottom surface 606.Further, the first and second protrusion top surfaces 654, 658 mayinclude a height which remains constant, increases or decreases acrosstheir length.

The intersection of first protrusion 622 and alignment aid 630 maydefine a first wall 662 of alignment aid 630. Similarly, theintersection of second protrusion 626 and alignment aid 630 may define asecond wall 666 of alignment aid 630. The first and second walls 662,666 may be generally planar and extend from recessed rear surface 696 oftop rail 660 to back 620 of putter head 600. First and second walls 662,666 may be generally perpendicular to recessed rear surface 696, and maybe generally parallel to each other. First and second walls 662, 666 maybe centered about a centerline 670 perpendicular to face 616 andextending through the geometric center 656 of face 616.

In the illustrated embodiment, referring to FIG. 7-8, alignment aid 630has a width 644 which is measured between first wall 662 of alignmentaid 630 and second wall 666 of alignment aid 630. The width 644 ofalignment aid 630 is constant and approximately equal to the diameter ofa golf ball, or 1.680 inches (42.67 mm). In other embodiments, the width644 of alignment aid 630 may be a constant value greater than 1.176inches (29.87 mm) and less than 2.184 inches (55.47 mm). Specifically,the width 644 of alignment aid 630 may be greater than or equal toapproximately 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, 2.0 inches, or 2.1 inches,or any value greater than 1.176 inches.

The sight line 652 is disposed on the recessed bottom surface 606 ofalignment aid 630. Sight line 652 may be aligned with centerline 670when viewed from a top view. Further, the sight line 652 may extendalong recessed bottom surface 606 from recessed rear surface 694 of toprail 660 to back 620 of putter head 600 to define a correspondinglength. Sight line 652 may comprise a sight line stripe, where the sightline stripe comprises a first color and the recessed bottom surface 606comprises a second color different from the first color. In otherembodiments, sight line 652 may comprise a groove in recessed bottomsurface 606. The depth, width, and/or vertical cross-sectional shape ofthe groove may be constant along the length, or may vary linearly ornon-linearly. The groove may include the sight line stripe disposedinside the groove, and the first color may be the same or different fromthe second color. Sight line 652 may be machined into recessed bottomsurface 606, may be formed by casting, forging, or any othermanufacturing process.

The putter head 600 may have a hosel 702 to which a putter shaft may becoupled. Referring to FIG. 8, hosel 702 may have a hosel body 704 with afirst end 706 extending from the heel portion 708 of the hosel body 704,and a second end 710 configured to receive a shaft. The shaft and thehosel 702 may be secured to each other by use of an adhesive such asepoxy, by use of 1 or more fasteners such as screws, or by other bondingprocesses such as soldering, welding, and/or brazing.

D. Multiple Sight Line Putter Head

Putter head 1100 of FIG. 10, can be similar to putter head 100 (FIG.1-2). Referring to FIG. 10, putter head 1100 comprises an alignment aid1130 including a plurality of sight lines 1152, 1153, 1155 disposed atthe center of the crown. The alignment aid 1130 may be centered about acenterline 1170 which extends perpendicular to the face plane 1168 fromthe face 1116 to the back 1120 of putter head 1100 and passes throughthe geometric center 1156 of the face 1116. The alignment aid 1130 ispositioned at least partially in the first ⅓ of the putter head 1100.The alignment aid 630 may be positioned at least partially in the first⅛, or 1/7, or ⅙, or ⅕, or ¼, or ⅓ of the putter head 600. The alignmentaid 1130 may be directly adjacent to the face 1116 or may be positionedat an offset distance from the face 1116. Further, the alignment aid1130 may extend from the face 1116 entirely to the back 1120 of theputter head 1100 or may extend a portion of the way to the back 1120 ofthe putter head 1100.

The alignment aid 1130 may have a sight line 1152, a first auxiliarysight line 1153 and a second auxiliary sight line 1155. The sight line1152 may be aligned with the centerline when viewed from a top view.Further, the sight line may extend perpendicular to the face plane 1168from the face 1116 to the back 1120 of putter head 1100. The firstauxiliary sight line 1153 is offset from the sight line 1152 by apredetermined distance toward the heel of the club head. The secondauxiliary sight line 1155 is offset from the sight line 1152 by apredetermined distance toward the toe of putter head 1100. The offsetdistance for the first auxiliary sight line 1153 and the offset distancefor the second auxiliary sight line 1155 is preferably the samedistance. The first auxiliary sight line 1153 and the second auxiliarysight line 1155 extend in parallel to the sight line 1152 along the topsurface 1142 from the face 1116 to the back 1120 of the putter head1100. The first and second auxiliary sight lines 1153, 1155 may extendacross the same length of the top surface as the sight line 1152 oracross a different length. The sight line 1152 comprises a first colorwhich may be any color. The top surface 1142 comprises a second colordifferent from the first color. The first auxiliary sight line 1153comprises a third color different from the first color and the secondcolor. The second auxiliary sight line 1155 comprises the third colordifferent from the first color and second color. In other embodiments,the second auxiliary sight line 1155 may comprise a fourth colordifferent from the first, second and third color.

In many embodiments, the first color of the sight line 1152 comprises abold or primary color. In many embodiments, the third color of the firstand second auxiliary sight line 1153, 1155 comprises a muted orsecondary color. For example, in some embodiments, the first color canbe red, and the third color can be green. In other embodiments, thefirst color may be red, yellow, blue or any other suitable bold color,while the third color may be purple, green, orange, magenta, cyan or anyother suitable muted color. The combination of a bold or primary firstcolor for the sight line 1152 and a muted or secondary third color forthe first and second auxiliary sight lines 1153, 1155 can allow the userto relax their eyes and concentrate on the desired ball trajectory, tobetter align the ball with the target.

Referring to FIG. 10, the sight line 1152 has a width. The firstauxiliary sight line 1153 has a width less than the width of the sightline 1152. The second auxiliary sight line 1155 has a width less thanthe width of the sight line 1152. In many embodiments, the width of thefirst auxiliary sight line 1153 is the same as the width of the secondauxiliary sight line 1155. The arrangement of a central sight line 1152with parallel offset auxiliary sight lines 1153, 1155 that are thinnerand comprising different colors takes advantage of the phenomena ofVernier Acuity. The arrangement of the auxiliary sight lines 1153, 1155and the sight line 1152 allows the player's eyes to more naturally stayfocused and still on the central sight line to better align the ballwith the target, similar to alignment aids on golf balls, as disclosedin U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,663,025 B2 and 8,721,468 B1, which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety. The alignment aid 1130illustrated in FIG. 10 can be applied to any type of putter head. Forexample, the alignment aid 1130 as described herein can be applied to amallet-type putter head with a protrusion, a mallet-type putter headwith a cavity, a blade-type putter head, or any other suitable type ofputter head.

In other embodiments, one or more of the sight line 1152, the firstauxiliary sightline 1153 and the second auxiliary sightline 1155 mayfurther comprise a groove. The first auxiliary sight line 1153 groovehas a width less than the width of the sight line 1152 groove. Thesecond auxiliary sight line 1155 groove has a width less than the widthof the sight line 1152 groove. In many embodiments, the width of thefirst auxiliary sight line 1153 groove is the same as the width of thesecond auxiliary sight line 1155 groove. The depth, width, and/orvertical cross-sectional shape of the grooves may be constant along thelength, or may vary linearly or non-linearly. The sight line 1152 groovemay further comprise the primary or bold first color. The first andsecond auxiliary sight line 1153, 1155 grooves may further comprise thesecondary or muted third color. The depth, width, and/or verticalcross-sectional shape of the grooves may be constant along the length,or may vary linearly or non-linearly.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary method of manufacturing 1000 the putterhead 100. While the method of manufacturing 1000 is described hereinwith reference to putter head 100, the method of manufacturing 1000 maybe used to manufacture any putter head including putter head 200, putterhead 400, or putter head 600. The method includes: (1) providing a body104 made of a first material, the body 104 having a crown 108, a sole112 opposite the crown 108, a heel 124, a toe 128 opposite the heel 124,a face 116, and a back 120 opposite the face 116; (2) forming at leastone cavity or at least one protrusion on the crown 108 of the body 104;and (3) forming a sight line on the surface of the at least one cavityor protrusion.

The method of manufacturing the putter head 100 is merely exemplary andis not limited to the embodiments presented herein. The method can beemployed in many different embodiments or examples not specificallydepicted or described herein. In some embodiments, the processes of themethod described can be performed in any suitable order. In otherembodiments, the method 1000 may include additional processes. Forexample, the method may also include providing a sole plate 176 made ofa second material, and coupling the sole plate 176 to the body 104 toform the putter head 100. The second material may be the same ordifferent than the first material. In other embodiments, one or moreprocesses may be combined, separated, or skipped.

The body 104 of the putter head 100 may be manufactured by casting,forging, machining, rapid prototyping, layer by layer printing,selective laser sintering, direct metal laser sintering,stereolithography, 3D printing, or any other method. Similarly, the ballstriking face 172 of the putter head 100 may be manufactured by casting,machining, rapid prototyping, layer by layer printing, selective lasersintering, direct metal laser sintering, stereolithography, 3D printing,or any other method. Furthermore, the sole plate 176 of the putter head100 may be manufactured by casting, machining, rapid prototyping, layerby layer printing, selective laser sintering, direct metal lasersintering, stereolithography, 3D printing, or any other method. The body104 and the sole plate 176 may be assembled by swaging, welding,brazing, or any other method capable of coupling the body 104 to thesole plate 176.

Clause 1: A putter club head comprising: a body, a face, a back oppositethe face, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a crown, and a sole oppositethe crown, an alignment aid centered about a centerline that extendsperpendicular to the face and passes through a geometric center of theface, the alignment aid comprising: a protrusion disposed on the crownhaving a width measured between a heel edge and a toe edge, the widthapproximately equal to a diameter of a golf ball, and a sight linedisposed on a top surface of the alignment aid, the sight line beingaligned with the centerline; a first cavity is disposed in the crownnear the heel, and a second cavity is disposed in the crown near thetoe.

Clause 2: The putter club head of clause 1, wherein the alignment aidwidth is approximately 1.68 inches.

Clause 3: The putter club head of clause 1, wherein the body is madefrom a first material and the face comprises a face insert, wherein theface insert is made from a second material different from the firstmaterial.

Clause 4: The putter club head of clause 1, wherein the sight linecomprises a groove in the top surface.

Clause 5: The putter club head of clause 1, wherein the sight linecomprises a sight line stripe having a first color and the top surfacecomprises a second color.

Clause 6: The putter club head of clause 1, wherein a sole plate isdisposed in the sole.

Clause 7: The putter club head of clause 1, wherein the putter club headis mallet-type putter head or a half-pipe putter head or a blade-typeputter head.

Clause 8: A putter club head comprising a body, a face, a back oppositethe face, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a crown, and a sole oppositethe crown, an alignment aid centered about a centerline that extendsperpendicular to the face and passes through a geometric center of theface, the alignment aid comprising a cavity disposed on the crown havinga width measured between a first wall and a second wall of the alignmentaid, the width approximately equal to a diameter of a golf ball, a sightline disposed on a recessed bottom surface, the sight line being alignedwith the centerline, a first protrusion is disposed on the crown nearthe heel, a second protrusion is disposed on the crown near the toe.

Clause 9: The putter club head of clause 8, wherein the alignment aidwidth is approximately 1.68 inches.

Clause 10: The putter club head of clause 8, wherein: the body is madefrom a first material; and the face comprises a face insert, wherein theface insert is made from a second material different from the firstmaterial.

Clause 11: The putter club head of clause 8, wherein the sight linecomprises a groove in the recessed bottom surface.

Clause 12: The putter club head of clause 8, wherein: the sight linecomprises a sight line stripe having a first color, and the recessedbottom surface comprises a second color.

Clause 13: The putter club head of clause 8, wherein a sole plate isdisposed in the sole.

Clause 14: The putter club head of clause 8, wherein the putter clubhead is mallet-type putter head or a half-pipe putter head or ablade-type putter head.

Clause 15: A putter club head comprising a body, a face, a back oppositethe face, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a crown, and a sole oppositethe crown, an alignment aid centered about a centerline that extendsperpendicular to the face and passes through a geometric center of theface, the alignment aid comprising a sight line disposed on the crownsurface aligned with the centerline, the sight line comprising a firstcolor, a top surface comprising a second color, a first auxiliary sightline extending parallel to and positioned offset from the sight line ata predetermined distance towards the heel, the first auxiliary sightline comprising a third color and a second auxiliary sight lineextending parallel and positioned offset from the sight line at thepredetermined distance towards the toe, the second auxiliary sight linecomprising the third color.

Clause 16: The putter club head of clause 15, wherein: the body is madefrom a first material; and the face comprises a face insert, wherein theface insert is made from a second material different from the firstmaterial.

Clause 17: The putter club head of clause 15, wherein one or more of thesight line, the first auxiliary sight line, and the second auxiliarysight line comprises a groove.

Clause 18: The putter club head of clause 15, wherein the firstauxiliary sight line has a width less than the width of the sight line,and the second auxiliary sight line has a width less than the width ofthe sight line.

Clause 19: The putter club of clause 15, wherein: the sight line stripecomprises a primary color; the first auxiliary sight line comprises asecondary color; and the second auxiliary sight line comprises asecondary color.

Clause 20: The putter club head of clause 8, wherein the putter clubhead is mallet-type putter head or a half-pipe putter head or ablade-type putter head.

Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstructionand not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutionsto problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.

As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulationsmay be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golfstandard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United StatesGolf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews(R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, andarticles of manufacture described herein may be conforming ornon-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly,golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/orsold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus,methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited inthis regard.

While the above examples may be described in connection with aputter-type golf club, the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be applicable to other types of golfclub such as a driver-type golf club, a fairway wood-type golf club, ahybrid-type golf club, an iron-type golf club, or a wedge-type golfclub. Alternatively, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacturedescribed herein may be applicable other type of sports equipment suchas a hockey stick, a tennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A putter club head comprising: a body, a face, aback opposite the face, a heel, a toe opposite the heel, a crown, analignment aid on the crown, and a sole opposite the crown; wherein thealignment aid is centered about a centerline that extends perpendicularto the face and passes through a geometric center of the face, thealignment aid comprising: a plurality of sight lines; a top surface;wherein a primary sight line is disposed on the crown surface alignedwith the centerline, the sight line comprising a first color; whereinthe top surface comprises a second color; wherein a first auxiliarysight line extends parallel to and is positioned offset from the primarysight line at a predetermined distance towards the heel, the firstauxiliary sight line comprising a third color; and wherein a secondauxiliary sight line extends parallel to and is positioned offset fromthe primary sight line at the predetermined distance towards the toe,the second auxiliary sight line comprising the fourth color.
 2. Theputter head of claim 1, wherein; the third color and the fourth colorare the same color; and the third color and the fourth color aredifferent from the first color and the second color.
 3. The putter headof claim 1, wherein; the third color and the fourth color are differentcolors; and the third color and the fourth color are also each differentfrom the first color and the second color.
 4. The putter club head ofclaim 1, wherein; the first auxiliary sight line has a width less thanthe width of the primary sight line; and the second auxiliary sight linehas a width less than the width of the primary sight line.
 5. The putterclub head of claim 1, wherein one or more of the primary sight line, thefirst auxiliary sight line, and the second auxiliary sight linecomprises a groove.
 6. The putter club head of claim 5, wherein; theprimary sight line comprises a primary groove, the first auxiliary sightline comprises a first auxiliary groove, and the second auxiliary sightline comprises a second auxiliary groove.
 7. The putter club head ofclaim 6, wherein; the primary groove comprises a primary width, thefirst auxiliary groove comprises a first auxiliary groove width, and thesecond auxiliary groove comprises a second auxiliary groove width;wherein the first auxiliary groove width is the same as the secondauxiliary groove width; and wherein the first auxiliary groove width andsecond auxiliary groove width are less than the primary width.
 8. Theputter club head of claim 1, wherein; the offset distance of the firstauxiliary sight line from the primary sight line and the offset distanceof the second auxiliary sight line from the primary sight line is thesame distance.
 9. The putter club head of claim 1, wherein; the primarysight line comprises a primary length, the first auxiliary sight linecomprises a first auxiliary length, and the second auxiliary sight linecomprises a second auxiliary length.
 10. The putter club head of claim1, wherein; the alignment aid is positioned at least partially in afirst third of the putter club head.
 11. The putter club head of claim10, wherein; the alignment aid is positioned directly adjacent to theface.
 12. The putter club head of claim 10, wherein; the alignment aidis positioned at an offset distance from the face.
 13. The putter clubhead of claim 11, wherein; the alignment aid extends from the faceentirely to the back of the putter club head.
 14. The putter club headof claim 11, wherein, the alignment aid extends a portion of the way tothe back of the putter club head.
 15. The putter club head of claim 9,wherein; the first auxiliary length and the second auxiliary length arethe same as the primary length.
 16. The putter club head of claim 9,wherein; the first auxiliary length and the second auxiliary length aredifferent from the primary length.
 17. The putter club head of claim 1,wherein; the body is made from a first material; and the face comprisesa face insert, wherein the face insert is made from a second materialdifferent from the first material.
 18. A putter club head comprising: abody, a face, a back opposite the face, a heel, a toe opposite the heel,a crown, an alignment aid on the crown, and a sole opposite the crown;wherein the alignment aid is centered about a centerline that extendsperpendicular to the face and passes through a geometric center of theface, the alignment aid comprising: a plurality of sight lines; a topsurface; wherein a primary sight line is disposed on the crown surfacealigned with the centerline, the sight line comprising a first color,wherein the first color is a primary color; wherein the top surfacecomprises a second color; wherein a first auxiliary sight line extendsparallel to and is positioned offset from the primary sight line at apredetermined distance towards the heel, the first auxiliary sight linecomprising a third color; and wherein a second auxiliary sight lineextends parallel to and is positioned offset from the primary sight lineat the predetermined distance towards the toe, the second auxiliarysight line comprising the fourth color; wherein the third and fourthcolors are non-primary colors.
 19. The putter head of claim 18, wherein;the third color and the fourth color are the same color; and the thirdcolor and the fourth color are different from the first color and thesecond color.
 20. The putter head of claim 18, wherein; the third colorand the fourth color are different colors; and the third color and thefourth color are also each different from the first color and the secondcolor.